THE West Cork Academy U14 schoolboys produced a fantastic display against La Liga giants Valencia at the 2026 Rush Open Cup in Salou, Barcelona.

Drawn in a tough group against French side Fleury FC, Finland’s OrsaSport and Valencia, the West Cork Academy kicked off their tournament against the La Liga club.

Drinagh Rangers’ Charlie Daly broke the deadlock and West Cork led their opponents until conceding twice in the final ten minutes to lose 2-1.

West Cork were beaten by OrsaSport in their second outing before taking on Parisian club Fleury FC in their final group fixture. The French Ligue 2 side edged another close encounter 1-0 with Fleury’s goalkeeper voted man of the match.

West Cork’s group placing resulted in a Silver Tournament Cup semi-final against Barcelona Academy side Cambrils.

West Cork produced a terrific performance to register a 6-1 victory. Rory Hurley, Charlie Daly, Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller, Ryan Healy, Kingsley Osagie and Danny Carroll goals cemented a final berth against rivals Fleury FC.

The Parisians moved into an early 2-0 lead but West Cork responded with Finbarr O’Mahony and Donagh Griffin netting to force a 2-2 draw.

Fleury edged the resulting penalty shootout but it proved a productive trip to Barcelona for a West Cork Academy squad that improved with every outing.

‘It was a very good tournament in which we were able to deliver both on and off the pitch,’ the West Cork Academy’s David Hall told The Southern Star.

‘We were well supported and this was an important milestone in our U14 Academy season.

‘We performed so well that our Academy’s U12 squad has been invited to avail of a slot in next year’s tournament. The U14 tournament we competed in was won by Real Sociedad.’

West Cork Academy U14 Schoolboys: Oliver Kiely (Castlelack), Aodhan O’Mahony (Ardfield), Ben Machie (Dunmanway Town), Charlie Daly, Conor Collins (both Drinagh Rangers), Daniel O’Sullivan (Bay Rovers), Danny Carroll (Dunmanway Town), Donagh Griffin (Bunratty United), Dylan O’Brien, Edward Hough, Finbarr O’Mahony (all Clonakilty AFC), Jack Horgan (Castlelack), Kingsley Crosby Osagie (Drinagh Rangers), Liam Ahern (Clonakilty AFC), Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller, Rory Hurley (both Drinagh Rangers), Ryan Crowley Healy, Samuel Kingston, Tristan Hayes (all Dunmanway Town), Eli Zabala (Riverside Athletic). Coaches: Sean Hough, JJ Hurley, Tadgh Curtin, Rory Curtin, Michael Burgoyne and David Hall.

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It has been a positive month for the West Cork Academy with the U15 schoolboys squad qualifying for an SFAI National Trophy final.

West Cork overcame Mayo 4-1 to reach this season’s decider thanks to a hat-trick from Castlelack’s Jack Allen. The National Trophy final takes place in Evergreen, Kilkenny, on Sunday, May 24th with a 4.30pm kick-off. Inishowen will be West Cork’s opponents.

This season’s Clare Cup tournament saw the West Cork Academy’s schoolboys and schoolgirls squads acquit themselves well. The schoolboys registered wins over WWEC, Sligo Leitrim and Limerick County.

The West Cork Academy U10 schoolboys squad make their SFAI debuts in the Billy Carr Tournament in Galway on May 23rd.